England Under-19 worldwide Sonny Perkins saved Leeds United within the FA Cup with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser incomes them a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City.
Cardiff appeared like inflicting extra FA Cup third-round distress on Leeds following first-half targets from Jaden Philogene and Sheyi Ojo.
But Rodrigo decreased the deficit with a close-range header and, after the Spanish substitute had been denied from the penalty spot and Cardiff misplaced Joel Bagan to a crimson card, Perkins squeezed residence from shut vary three minutes into harm time.
The tie had evoked recollections of Cardiff’s well-known third-round victory in 2002 when David O’Leary’s Leeds have been prime of the Premier League.
Cardiff have been within the third tier on the time, however a frenzied Ninian Park noticed Scott Young’s late winner ship one of many competitors’s nice upsets.
Former defender Young was among the many company invited again for the day as round 6,500 Leeds stuffed the tip behind one of many targets at Cardiff City Stadium to provide a terrific environment.
Both Cardiff supervisor Mark Hudson and Leeds counterpart Jesse Marsch rang the modifications with their respective positions within the Championship and the Premier League of some concern.
Only three Cardiff gamers remained from their New Year’s Day defeat at Blackburn, whereas Leeds saved 4 from the 2-2 residence draw with West Ham.
Leeds have been enjoying their tenth consecutive FA Cup away tie – only one in need of Stockport’s 11-game document within the competitors – however began nicely with Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto full of life and Darko Gyabi whistling a second-minute shot vast.
(Action Images by way of Reuters)
Cardiff, the bottom scorers within the Championship with 20 targets in 26 video games, had not scored in practically six hours of soccer.
But their objective drought ended on 348 minutes when Mark Harris broke behind the dozing Pascal Struijk to drive a save from the advancing Joel Robles.
The ball broke to Isaak Davies and, though his effort was blocked, it squirted to Philogene who made no mistake from six yards.
Cardiff doubled their lead seven minutes later simply after the half-hour mark.
This time Ojo was left unattended from Andy Rinomhota’s floated move and Robles was crushed once more by a effective end into the roof of the online.
Gnonto was booked for simulation, an indication that Leeds frustration was rising, earlier than the younger Italian was off course with a wayward header.
Marsch waited till practically quarter-hour of the second half to make his first substitutions, a triple change.
Midweek recruit Max Wober, Rodrigo and Cody Drameh – the reigning Cardiff participant of the 12 months following his mortgage spell in south Wales final season – have been despatched on to rescue the scenario.
The transfer nearly paid off immediately as Struijk headed vast when it appeared simpler to attain.
But Leeds halved the deficit after 65 minutes, Rodrigo assembly Sam Greenwood’s clipped cross with a close-range header that Jak Alnwick received a powerful hand to however was unable to maintain out.
Leeds arrange camp within the Cardiff half and received a spot-kick 10 minutes from time when Bagan dived to tip Junior Firpo’s goalbound shot round a put up.
Alnwick guessed accurately to his proper to push away Rodrigo’s kick however 18-year-old Perkins, who had solely been on the pitch eight minutes, secured an Elland Road replay.
